ESPN’s Ryan Clark Was Laid Off While Doing NFL Live — Did Not Return After Commercial Break: Report

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ESPN analyst Ryan Clark was informed of his firing while he was on the show NFL Live, and he did not return after receiving the news.

On Monday, The Athletic reported that Clark had been laid off as part of another round of layoffs at the company. Sources then told The Athletic that ESPN made the unusual move of telling Clark as he was in the middle of taping a show.

The report read:

Clark was on ESPN’s “NFL Live” on Monday. He was informed of the decision during the show, said the sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter. Clark did not finish the program.

Sources at ESPN said the unusual decision came down due to media inquiries about Clark’s departure and a fear that the news would leak before they could inform him. Sources told The Athletic that Clark’s job was possibly in jeopardy since after the Super Bowl in February.

Last week, The Athletic learned that Clark was likely to be let go.

For several years, Clark had been a crucial component to the success of NFL Live. Alongside Laura Rutledge, Mina Kimes, Dan Orlovsky, and Marcus Spears, Clark helped the program become one of the best daily sports shows in the industry; and that success led to multiple Emmy wins.

Despite this, the report added, the decision to cut Clark was allegedly motivated by “some of his choices,” including when he belittled fellow analyst Peter Schrager during a debate on the show Get Up.

Clark later apologized for his comments.

Additional layoffs were expected to be announced on Tuesday. That morning, The Athletic revealed that longtime baseball announcer Karl Ravech was let go after more than 30 years with the company.

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